A41649:452
A word to sinners, and a word to saints The former tending to the…
A word to sinners, and a word to saints The former tending to the awakening the consciences of secure sinners, unto a lively sense and apprehension of the dreadful condition they are in, so long as they live in their natural and unregenerate estate. The latter tending to the directing and persuading of the godly and regenerate unto several singular duties. As also a word to householders stirring them up to the good old way of serving God in and with their families, from Joshua's resolution, Josh. 24. 15. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Set forth especially for the use and benefit of the inhabitants of St. Sepulchres Parish, London by Tho. Gouge, late pastor thereof.A word to sinners, and a word to saints The former tending to the awakening the consciences of secure sinners, unto a lively sense and apprehension of the dreadfull condition they are in, so long as they live in their natural and unregenerate estate. The latter tending to the directing and perswading of the godly and regenerate unto several singular duties. As also a word to housholders stirring them up to the good old way of serving God in and with their families, from Joshuah's resolution, Josh. 24. 15. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Set forth especially for the use and benefit of the inhabitants of St. Sepulchres Parish, London by Tho. Gouge, late pastor thereof.
London: printed for George Sawbridge, 1668
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Part › Chapter 15: Other Means on our part to be performed for attaining of Regeneration.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
And Luther confesseth of himself, that he was changed and renewed upon reading the Scriptures; and therefore professed he would not part with one leaf of the Bible for all the World. For in the Scriptures there is a clear revelation of the way and means of Salvation by Jesus Christ; therein is contained the Covenant of grace, and the Laws of Heaven according to which we must square all our actions.
Oh sinner, as thou desirest to partake of the new birth, and to be made partaker of the grace of God, be careful and conscionable in reading the Scriptures. Spend not that time in reading of play-books and unprofitable pamphlets, which thou mightest spend in reading the Word, which is able to make thee wise unto Salvation: to this end carry it about thee as Alexander did Homers Iliads for his fellow and companion in the Wars. 1Oh that every one of us were ambitious of that commendation which Eusebius gives of St. Origen, That he could repeat all the Scriptures at his fingers ends.
- 1Histor. Eccles. lib. 6. cap. 2.
3. Pray unto God for the change of thine heart; beg of him that he would be pleased by his spirit to regenerate thee, to plant his image in thy soul, that thou mayest become a new-creature. What the Apostle James saith of wisdom, 1is true of all grace, If any one lack it, let him ask it of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him.
3. Pray unto God for the change of thine heart; beg of him that he would be pleased by his spirit to regenerate thee, to plant his image in thy soul, that thou maist become a new-creature. What the Apostle Iames saith of wisdom,